dordogne (24)region: Nouvelle-aquitaine

The Dordogne is a region of agricultural landscapes,
woodlands and mellow stone buildings, reminiscent, for many British people, of
the Chilterns, the Cotswolds and the Downs.

The French know this region as the Périgord, named after
its most important river. It is the cradle of humanity, famed for the evidence
of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon Man found throughout the region, and for the
caves they used, notably the Lascaux cave (although the actual cave is closed
to the public a facsimile a short distance away at Montignac is open),
decorated with outstanding examples of prehistoric art.

There is, too, plenty of evidence of medieval settlement,
such as Rocamadour, and of the Anglo-French conflict. But this remains an
idyllic area of castles, churches and medieval villages, born of many years of
conflict, poverty and neglect.

The department is divided into four, each named by colour:
'Green' for its forests and rivers; 'White' for the pale stone that features so
prominently in the Dordogne's capital, Périgueux; 'Black' for the denseness of
the forests around Sarlat, and 'Purple' in reference to the wine area around
Bergerac.

The Dordogne valley usually refers to the path followed by
the Dordogne river, and is towards the south of the department, passing more or less
east to west, through Bergerac. The more northerly half of the department is
really quite a way from the river! Tourism in the Dordogne doesn't start and
end with the river – be sure to venture north and south a little to discover
the quiet but equally beautiful regions a little more hidden from the public
gaze.